VEA vs. BTCI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and BTCI (NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while BTCI is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by Neos. VEA is passively managed, while BTCI is actively managed. Over the past year, VEA returned 28.06% vs -34.15% for BTCI. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for BTCI.

Performance

VEA vs. BTCI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 12.02% return, which is significantly higher than BTCI's -24.93% return.

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

BTCI

• 1D: 5.05%
• 1M: -19.01%
• YTD: -24.93%
• 6M: -26.93%
• 1Y: -34.15%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VEA vs. BTCI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	-5.86%
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	-24.93%	-1.09%	26.12%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and BTCI is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2024	0.35

Return for Risk

VEA vs. BTCI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

BTCI

BTCI Risk / Return Rank: 3
BTCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BTCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
BTCI Omega Ratio Rank: 3
BTCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BTCI Martin Ratio Rank: 2

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VEA vs. BTCI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	VEA	BTCI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	-0.87	+2.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	-1.15	+3.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	0.86	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	-0.73	+3.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	-1.34	+10.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEA vs. BTCI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the BTCI Sharpe Ratio of -0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and BTCI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VEA	BTCI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	-0.87	+2.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	-0.07	+0.31

Drawdowns

VEA vs. BTCI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than BTCI's maximum drawdown of -47.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and BTCI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	BTCI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-47.16%	-13.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-47.16%	+35.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.40%	-44.49%	+41.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.29%	-15.40%	+2.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	25.53%	-22.53%

Volatility

VEA vs. BTCI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) is 6.03%, while NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) has a volatility of 10.95%. This indicates that VEA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BTCI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	BTCI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	10.95%	-4.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.91%	31.23%	-17.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	39.57%	-23.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.63%	40.40%	-23.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	40.40%	-23.00%

VEA vs. BTCI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than BTCI's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. BTCI - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than BTCI's 44.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BTCI NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF	44.41%	36.46%	6.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and BTCI in my portfolio?

VEA and BTCI have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEA or BTCI?

BTCI has higher volatility (10.95%) compared to VEA (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs BTCI's -47.16%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or BTCI?

On 1-year performance, VEA leads with 28.06% vs -34.15% for BTCI. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 6.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or BTCI?

Over the 1-year period, VEA has performed better with a 28.06% return vs -34.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or BTCI?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for BTCI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEA or BTCI?

BTCI has the higher dividend yield at 44.41%, compared with 2.69% for VEA.

What is the main difference between VEA and BTCI?

VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BTCI is Cryptocurrency. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.99% for BTCI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.87), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.